The Most Dramatic Game in Chess History: Nimzowitsch's Revolution

A revolutionary game that Aron Nimzowitsch considered one of his most instructive. According to Fred Reinfeld, this game represents one of the most dramatic moments in chess history, as Nimzowitsch completely revolutionized the concept of controlling the center. Traditionally, it was believed that the side with pawns in the central squares controlled this crucial area of the board. In this game, however, Nimzowitsch challenges this conventional wisdom by surrendering his pawn center, while still exerting tremendous pressure on the center with his pieces, completely paralyzing his opponent’s entire army. 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 Bd7 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O f6 9. b4 Be7 10. Bf4 fxe5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Nf6 13. Nd2 O-O 14. Nf3 Bd6 15. Qe2 Rac8 16. Bd4 Qc7 17. Ne5 Be8 18. Rae1 Bxe5 19. Bxe5 Qc6 20. Bd4 Bd7 21. Qc2 Rf7 22. Re3 b6 23. Rg3 Kh8 24. Bxh7 e5 25. Bg6 Re7 26. Re1 Qd6 27. Be3 d4 28. Bg5 Rxc3 29. Rxc3 dxc3 30. Qxc3 Kg8 31. a3 Kf8 32. Bh4 Be8 33. Bf5 Qd4 34. Qxd4 exd4 35. Rxe7 Kxe7 36. Bd3 Kd6 37. Bxf6 gxf6 38. Kf1 Bc6 39. h4 1-0